OBJECTIVES To compare the sensitivity of fast spin echo (FSE) and of fast fluid attenuated inversion recovery (fast FLAIR) in detecting spinal cord lesions in multiple sclerosis. METHODS With a 1.5 Tesla machine and a multicoil receiver array, FSE images (with two different pixel sizes) and fast FLAIR images of the spinal cord were obtained from 13 patients with multiple sclerosis. RESULTS ...

PURPOSE To optimize a T1-weighted fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence using computer-simulated data and to study its clinical utility for imaging the spine. METHODS Relative signal intensities and contrast of relevant normal and pathologic tissues in the spine were computed using an inversion recovery equation modified to account for a hybrid RARE (rapid acquisition with...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In major SAH, the only method to diagnose a preceding minor leak is to ascertain the presence of a warning headache by interview; however, poor clinical condition and recall bias can cause inaccuracy. We devised a neuroradiologic method to diagnose previous minor leak in patients with SAH and attempted to determine whether warning (sentinel) headaches were associated with...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Change in signal intensity due to acute ischemic stroke can be detected on diffusion-weighted (DW) images soon after symptom onset. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) DW imaging suppresses signal intensity from water and has been suggested to be better than conventional DW imaging as a diagnostic imaging technique in acute stroke. We compared the signal intensity...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE WAKE-UP is a randomized, placebo-controlled MRI-based trial of thrombolysis in wake-up stroke using the mismatch between a lesion's visibility in diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences as its main imaging inclusion criterion. Visual judgment of lesion conspicuity on FLAIR is however methodically limited by moderate inter-rater...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Single-shot, fast spin-echo, fluid attenuated inversion recovery (SS-FSE-FLAIR) images are frequently used to detect disease in the brain and subarachnoid space in confused or uncooperative patients who may move during the examination. In some of these patients, high signal intensity areas are seen on good-quality images in the subarachnoid space and ventricular system in...

We herein present a case of delayed enhancement of CSF on fluidattenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging in a patient with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). In our case despite the settled clinical setting of PRES initial MR scan was negative and on repeated FLAIR imaging increased CSF signal intensity was more conspicuous than subtle cortical involvement.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MR imaging of the brain has become a routine tool for assessing lesions in patients with suspected neurologic disorders. There is growing interest in 3T brain FLAIR MR imaging but little normative data are available. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency and topography of cerebral hyperintensities seen with FLA...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Acute stroke patients with unknown time of symptom onset are ineligible for thrombolysis. The diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) mismatch is a reasonable predictor of stroke within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, and its clinical usefulness in selecting patients for thrombolysis is currently being investigated. The accuracy of the visua...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE High-intensity CSF artifacts at the basal cisterns on MR images are often seen when a fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) technique is used. We investigated the influences of four optional fast-FLAIR sequence parameters on the high-intensity CSF artifacts. METHODS A total of 377 patients (age range, 1 week to 91 years; mean 40.6 years; 186 female, 191 male)...